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He laughed. Moody, somber, always pinched-faced Asger laughed. “You split my tongue.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” My blood chilled at the dark timbre. Kage leaned over the edge of a rail on an upper level.

“Don’t apologize,” he repeated. “You defended yourself. You were faced with an enemy, and you did what is natural to a Soturi. When a weapon is in hand, you tell it where to fly, Wildling. When it is your magic, you use it without mercy.”

I studied my palms. “I-I don’t know how I did it.”

Gwyn practically skipped across the room and clapped me on the shoulder. “It doesn’t matter. Not yet. It’sthere, Adira.” She beamed. “That is what you must hold dear. Hold to that truth and it will continue to reveal itself.”

Asger wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “I’m not opposed to her reservations at not knowing how to use or control it. Might’ve cut out my tongue if she struck me with a full blast.”

Gwyn snorted. “Might be good. You talk so much after all.”

I laughed—a true, unburdened laugh—and watched as Asger tossed Gwyn her blade, challenging her to a fight.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kage turn and abandon the room. My gaze narrowed. The strange pull to him should be enough to frighten me away, but it was proving quite a feckless worry.

Where did he go while his brother was holed away with nobles and councils and duties of a crown prince?

I abandoned the room and climbed a set of stairs, leading to the upper floor. Kage was gone on floors connected to the sparring room. I scanned the corridor, axe in hand. When I considered he’d already quit the area, I caught a gleam of light flickering behind a largearched door.

Made of black wood, the engravings on the frame were of stars and the two moons over the land.

Stone shelves lined the long walls. Lovely wooden boxes of all shades—cherry wood, white aspen, and black oak—topped each one. The front of the latches on the boxes glowed. Some brighter than others, all in varying shades of violet.

Kage had his forearms propped on one edge, his fingers tracing the outline of one of the boxes, gaze almost lost.

“Are you going to stand there much longer, Wildling? It’s rather unsettling to have you gawk at me.”

I let the door close behind me. “What is this place?”

Kage turned his face to me. “A house of our past. These are tombs for heartstones.”

“Heartstones. The word from your nightmare.”

“Yes. Bits of the souls of those who’ve left this life. Moments of joy for the ones they leave behind to hold to. The edges glow when the soul is at peace, when our ancestors and loved ones are close and looking out for us.” Kage traced the dull box, turning away from me again. “You asked me what I was searching for when we met.”

“When you destroyed my hand.”

“I’m pleased it left an impression.” He stepped back from the shelf, but pointed at the box. “I was searching for this, have been searching for seasons.”

“A heartstone is missing?”

“Yes.” His mouth tightened. “My sister’s.”

CHAPTER 17

Kage

What was I thinking?My tongue had turned traitor and spilled out the truth of it before I could stuff it back down.

Adira blanched. “I’m sorry you lost your sister.”

“She’s Destin’s blood sister.” I turned away again. “But Arabeth never treated me differently.”

“You remember her.” Adira’s voice was lighter, almost delighted.